Transmitting device for horseless carriages.



Patented Feb. 20, I900.

J. C. BLEVNEY.

TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR HORSELESS CARRIAGES;

(Applicatioh filed May 10, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 643,627. Patented Feb. 20, I900. J. C. BLEVNEY.

TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR HORSELESS CARRJAGES. (Application filed May 10, 1899.) (No Model.)

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No. 643,627. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

J. C. BLEVNEY.

TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR HORSELESS CABBIAGES.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.)

4 Sheets$heet 3.

(No Model.)

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ATTORNEYS No. 643,627. Patented Feb. 20, I900. J. C. BLEVNEY. TRANSMITTING DEVICE FOR HORSELESS CARRIAGES.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.)

(No Model.)

- INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

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ATTORN EYS v mans PETERS co. Pumoumo WASHINGTON. 5.1:.

NITED STATES JOHN C. BLEVNEY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TRANSMITTING DEVICE F OR HORSELESS CARRIAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,627, dated February 20, 1900. Application filed May 10, 1899. Serial No. 716,212. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. BLEVNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power- Transmitting Devices for Horseless Carriages; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The objects of this invention are to reduce the cost of construction, to secure a more simple and compact structure, to permit a free vibration of the carriage-body upon the springs interposed between said body and the axle of the wheels without interfering with the regular movements of the motor and the power-transmitting parts, to reduce the noise produced by operation of the parts, to reduce the amount of vibration in the vehicle due to rapid reciprocation of parts, to secure either a forward or backward movement of the vehicle while employing a belt which operates constantly in one direction, and to secure other advantages and results, some of which may be referred to hereinafter in connection with the description of the working parts.

The invention consists in the improved power-transmitting device for horseless carriages, &c., and in the arrangements and combinations of parts of the same, all substantially as will be hereinafter set forth, and finally embraced in the clauses of the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding partsin each of the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved device. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of certain vehicle reversing and stopping devices. Fig. 3 is a detail section of a speed varying sprocket-wheel and its threaded shaft. Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of asprocketwheel arranged on the same said shaft and adapted to operate in connection with the reversing and stopping means. Fig. 5 is a section on line at, Fig. 1,1ookingin the direction of the arrow on the said section-line. Figs.

6 and 7 are detail views of a certain oscillating crank or lever shaft adapted to be reciprocated by the motor-piston. Fig. 8 is a detail view' of parts of a belt-clutch adapted to be employed in connection with said oscillating crank-shaft to operate the belt. Fig. 9 is a side view of the clutching devices on line as, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail illustrating the construction of a pair of reversingclutches in connection with a pair of pulleys over which the belt before referred to is arranged. Fig. 11 is a section of the same on line x Fig. 12 illustrates in side elevation a center portion of certain clutch-plates and a sleeve inserted between said clutch-plates employed in connection with the clutches. Fig. 13 is a section of the same, said parts taken at line 00 Fig. 14. is a sectional detail showing more fully the threaded shaft for operating the reversing-clutch and speed= varying means, showing the relation of the sprocket-wheels before referred to to one another. Fig. 15 is a sectional detail showing the connection of said shaft with a swinging frame carrying the power-transmitting devices, the section of this figure and also of Fig. 14 being taken at line ar of Fig. 1.' Fig. 16 is a sectional detail of a clutch, taken at line x Fig. 1; and Fig. 17 is a detail section taken at line 00 Fig. 1, showing more clearly the relation of certain power-pulleys, clutching means, and sprocket-wheel from which power is transmitted to the axle.

In said drawings, a, Figs. 1 and 5, indicates the body or frame of a vehicle or carriage, which may be of any suitable construction.

I) is the vehicle-wheel, c the axle of said wheel, and cl the springs, interposed between the axle and body of the vehicle, the said body thus having a free vibration, either vertical or horizontal, as permittedby said springs.

.e indicates the motor, which is seated and secured upon the body of the wagon or carriage and is free to oscillate thereon in any direction with said body, and f indicates the swinging frame carrying the power-transmitting devices, said frame being also supported upon said body and free to move therewith in any direction that the springs (1 will permit and also movable independent of said body, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Upon or in the said frame f are arranged certain pulleys and clutching mechanisms adapted to operate in connection with a flexible belt for transmitting power.

The motor a may be of any ordinary construction and may be adapted to utilize steam, explosive or combustible gas, electricity, liquid air, or any other source of motive power. In connection with the piston (not shown) of the said motor is a crank or lever shaft h, the arm h of which extends into engagement with the said piston, and the pivotal part 7L6 of said shaft his suitably arranged in boxes 7L2, bolted or fastened upon the body of the carriage. At one end of said lever or crank shaft h the same is provided with an arm 7L3 at right angles to the pivotal part, which arm 7L3 is preferably provided with a slot [L4, as shown in Figs. 1 and (3. This arm 71315 preferably connected to the pivotal part of the shaft h by a U-shaped connection 7L5, which permits a certain gripping device to be brought closely in line with the axis of pivotal parts of the shaft-body h under conditions hereinafter more fully described. Said slotted arm 71 extends to a point between the side plates f of the frame f, and preferably lies at a point midway between the said side plates ff, where it has a rapid reciprocating action due to the oscillation of the shaft under the power of the motor-piston. The distance of the reciprocal action increases with the distance of the arm from the axial centerof the said shaft, as will be apparent. Between the said side plates f is arranged a series of pulleys. At the top of the frame, upon the shaft t', is arranged a pairof loose pulleysjj. At the lower end of the frame is arranged on the shaft g a pair of clutch-pulleys 76 7c of larger diameter, and contiguous to the pulleys jj and 7t 7a are loose idle end pulleys m n.

0 indicates an endless strap or belt, preferably of leather, which is turned over the idle end pulleys m and n and extends downward, one part parallel with another, over the pulleysjj and 7t 7c, the belt parts, where they lie side by side at points between said pulleysj jand k k, traveling in opposite directions, as will be understood. The oppositely-moving parts of the said belt between said pulleys j 7' and 7o lie a little apart one part from another-say two inches, more or lessand in the open space between is arranged the reciprocating slotted arm 7L3 for operating a double clutch and by means of said clutch the endless belt. The said clutch comprises a frame or frames consisting of a shaft 23, which may have an antifriction-rollerp Fig. 8, adapted to lie in the slot 7L of the oscillating arm 7L Said shaft 1; has arms or plates 19 p p 1) extending from said shaft or bar p, and at their upper end said arms or plates are provided with a shaft 19*, upon which are ar-- ranged rollers to engage the back of the belt. Near to the shaft 19 and parallel therewith are shafts p supported by the arms p, on which shafts p are arranged eccentric dogs r 7', each having a series of teeth or riftles, the eccentric projections r pointing oppositely. The said rollers q and eccentric dogs 1 are in pairs, as shown in Fig. 6, a roller and a dog being arranged at opposite sides of the oscillating arm and engaging the opposite sides'of the strap or belt and imparting motion thereto. The dogs being arranged oppositely, when reciprocated by the slotted arm alternately engage the oppositelymoving parts of the belt to efifect the desired continuity of action of the latter in one direction. When the slotted oscillating arm 7L3 causes the frame and its dogs 0' to move therewith in one direction, one of the said dogs clutches one of the moving belt portions and imparts power and motion thereto. In the return movement of the slotted reciprocating arm the opposite dog 1" clutches the oppositelymoving belt portion and imparts motion there to in the opposite direction, so that each movement of the reciprocating arm imparts movement to the belt, which helps in securing uniform or even movement of said belt.

The clutch-frame moving back and forth with the reciprocating arm it may be guided in its movements by ribs or slideways 8, formed on the inner sides of the side plates f of the frame. While I prefer to employ said guides, and thereby secure a more positive and regular movement of the clutchingframe, I may under some conditions dispense with said guides, the belt itself serving as a guide for the reciprocatingclutching devices.

The centrifugal force due to the action of the oscillating arm h or the guides 3 causes the rollers q to press constantly against the back of the belt 8, and the clutching-dogs being eccentrically disposed with reference to their axes act automatically to clutch the belts in one direction of movement and to release automatically from said belt when moving in the opposite direction.

The dogs 1 are caused to clutch the belt more quickly by means of springs, which tend to hold the cam or eccentric projections of the dogs in engagement with the belt, so that they will be quick to bite the belt when in proper movement to do so.

It may be noted that by the construction shown the gripping-dogs 0' will not grip the belt 0 unless the speed of the dog equals the speed of the belt. Should the movement of the belt be greater than that of the reciprocating dog there will be no clutching action, as will be evident. It may be evident that there is a certain amount of independence of action between the movement of the belt and the movement of the reciprocating grip, and thus when the wagon is going at a high rate of speed and the belt also I can, when necessary, retard the propulsive action of the grip and its connections without interfering materially with the movement of the belt.

To vary the speed of the vehicle, I have pivoted the swinging frame f, as at g, upon links or pendulous connecting-rods g, and in connection with said frame I have provided adjusting mechanism adapted to be controlled by the motorman or driver of the vehicle. In this connection I employ a connecting-rod t, which is adapted to be either rotated axially to operate certain reversing-clutches or move longitudinally to turn the frame f on its. pivots g or swing the same on the pendulous rods g. In securing the swinging movement the said rod t engages a cross-head 15, (shown in Fig. 15,) the said cross-head being provided with an eye to receive said connecting-rod and the said connecting-rod if being held in said eye by a head t and a cam or eccentric collar i The opposite ends of the cross-bar t are pivotallyinserted in hollowlugs orboxes f formed on the inner sides of the side plates f eccentric to the pivot g. By this arrangement of parts when the connecting-rod t is moved longitudinally it will cause a movement of the frame f back or forth therewith, and this movement of the frame changes the relation of the belt-clutch to the slotted arm h so that the said clutch is brought nearer to or farther from the center of oscillatory movement of said slotted arm 71. whereby the distance of reciprocation of the clutch with said arm will be increased or diminished and the speed of the belt and the vehicle driven by connections with said belt will be varied accordingly. Should the clutch-shaft p be brought into alinement with the axial portion h" of the crank-shaft, the said oscillatory movement will be reduced to zero and the vehicle stopped, as will be understood. Ihus by means of the said rod 15 and the means employed for operating the same longitudinally I may vary the speed of the vehicle from nothing up to the highest speed permitted by law or the desire of the driver within the capacity of the vehicle and driving mechanism.

To operate the connecting-rod t longitudinally to swing the frame, I have provided the same at one ehd with screw-threads 25 Fig. 1, and on the threaded part I have arranged a threaded sprocket-wheel 6 arranged in suitable bearings t upon the vehicle and engaged by a chain 13 which extends to any point convenient for operation, where it preferably passes over a second sprocket-wheel t operated by a hand-wheel t or other suitable means in any desirable manner. The same connecting-rod t is employed for reversing the movement of the vehicle and stopping the same and carries at its end within the frame f the cam or eccentric 15 above referred to, adapted to operate a cl utch-shifting lever to. The said lever u is provided with prongs u, between which the said cam or eccentric is arranged, as shown in Fig. 1.1,and is fulcru med upon suitable cross-bars a of the frame extending from side plate to side plate.

In line with the forked end of the lever is pivoted upon suitable fingers or projecting bearings 10 thereof rollers u 11, which are caused to oscillate with the forked end to. \Vhen the eccentric t is turned by the shaft 6, the said rollers 21, inserted between the clutch-plates 12 throw the said plates sidewise toward or from the pulleys is It.

To effect a clutching of one or the other of the belt-pulleys k k with the sprocket-wheel y for transmitting power to the axle of the vehicle, the plates 12 2; are coupled or connected, so as to work laterally together under the action of the wheels 10 above referred to. The coupling or connecting means preferred comprises a collar to, arranged around the hub 'y of the sprocket-wheel y, the said collar to being slotted, notched, or recessed to receive the spokes 3 and permit a movement of said collar inthe line of the axis of said collar in connection with the plates 11. The collar at opposite ends is provided with clutchingteeth w, which extend through notches or openings in the plates 4;, through which said projections extend to enter into clutching relation to the teeth formed at the inner sides of the hubs of the pulleys k. The said plates 1; are also centrally perforated to receive the hub of the sprocket-wheel 'y and permit the lateral movement of the plates 01. At the opposite sides of the sprocket-wheels y are or may be interposed collars or washers 3 between the hub of the sprocket-wheel y and the hub of the pulleys k to hold the sprocketwheel and said pulleys in proper relative position. These, of course, may be dispensed with by increasing the length of the hubs and the said pulleys k is.

To hold the frame f suspended from the body a of the vehicle, I have provided links g, which extend upward from the shaft 9 to the brackets or boxes 4, the said links 9 being suitably pivoted upon said brackets, so that the said frame fis permitted to swing upon the said body a of the vehicle, the swinging action being induced by the swinging or vibrating of the vehicle upon the springs d and the rod 8. Power is transmitted from the sprocket-wheel y to the axle c or a sprocketwheel 6, arranged on said axle, by means of a chain belt 7, the said chain belt being held in operative relation to the sprocket-wheels 3 and 6 by means of the rod 8, which extends from said axle c to the shaft 9.

To operate the clutches by means of which reverse movement is secured, Ihave provided means controlled by the operator for turning the shaft i in its bearings and the cam or eccentric 25 in the fork of the lever it. The means preferred are shown in Fig. 1, where 9 indicates a sprocket-wheel arranged on the said shaft t, preferably on the side of the bearing t opposite that having the sprocketwheel t Said sprocket-wheel 9 permits of the longitudinal movement of the shaft 25 therein, but is provided interiorly with a spline 90, Fig. 14, adapted to enter a longitudinal groove 10 in the shaft. The said sprocketwheel 9 receives a chain belt 11, which receives its movement from a sprocketwheel 12, arranged on bearings at a point convenient to be operated by the driver, said sprocket-wheel12 being provided with a handcrank 13, by means of which said sprocketwheel may be turned on its shaft to effect the desired movement. Contiguous to said handcrank is a dial 14, having stop-holes 15 adapted to receive a sliding stop-pin 16 of the handcrank, the said pin being arranged in a cylindrical extension of the crank and being provided with a handpiece 17.

The wheels are preferably provided with heavy rims to serve as fly-wheels and to secure regular movement.

In operation the motorman or driver simply operates the handles and connections for moving the connecting-rod t either longitudinally or axially when the movements for changing the speed or direction of movement already described will be effected.

While I have described a constructionpreferred for effecting the desired results, I am aware that various detail changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and consequently I do not wish to be limited by positive descriptive terms or expressions hereinbefore employed excepting as the state of the art may require.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is- 1. The combination with a motor, a connecting-rod, and a crank having an arm, of a frame having an endless belt arranged therein over suitable pulleys journaled in said frame and a clutch arranged in connection with said arm, adapted to clutch the belt, and impart continuous movement thereto, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with an endless belt, and pulleys operated thereby, of a reciproeating clutch and means for reciprocating the same, the said reciprocating means being provided with an oscillating arm which-is adjustable in its relation to said clutch, whereby the reciprocating movements of said clutch will be increased or diminished in length of stroke, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a frame having pulleys and an endless belt arranged on said pulleys, parts of said belt being disposed side by side and movable in opposite directions, a clutch adapted to engage the oppositelymoving portions of the belt alternately, one clutch-dog engaging one portion of the belt at one stroke of the clutch and a second clutchdog engaging the other portion of the beltin its return stroke, thereby eifecting a continuous movement of said belt, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a framehaving a pair of driving-pulleys disposed side by side in said frame, of an endless belt, arranged in said frame, and over said pulleys and moving in opposite directions on said pulleys to effect an opposite rotation of said pulleys, and a clutch arranged in connection with a sprocketwheel for driving the wheels of the vehicle,

the said clutch being adapted to be brought into clutching relation to one or the other of said pulleys to effect a reverse movement of the vehicle without changing the direction of movement of the belt, substantially as set forth.

5. In a horseless vehicle, the combination with the body thereof, of a swinging frame movable independent of said body and having means for transmitting power arranged over pulleys therein, means for operating said power transmitting means and means for transmitting power from said power-transmitting means of the frame to the axle of the vehicle, and means for holding the swinging frame at or near the free swinging end there of at a definite operative distance from the driven axle, substantially as set forth.

6. In a horseless vehicle, a swingingframe arranged on the body of said vehicle, having therein pulleys and a belt arranged over said pulleys, a clutch for imparting movement to the belt, means for operating the clutch and means for transmitting movement from the pulleys, and a clutch engaging one or anotherof said pulleys for changing the direction of movement of the last-said transmitting means, substantially as set forth.

7. In a horseless vehicle, a frame arranged on the body of said vehicle and having pulleys therein and an endless belt, arranged over said pulleys, a reciprocating clutch for imparting movement to the belt, and means for reciprocating said clutch, means for transmitting motion from the pulleys including a clutch engaging one or another of said pulleys for changing the direction of movement of the power-transmitting means, substantially as set forth.

8. In a horseless vehicle, a frame arranged on the body of said vehicle and having pulleys therein, and an endless belt arranged over said pulleys, parts of said belt lying side by side and movable in opposite directions, a reciprocating clutch for imparting movement to said belt, said clutch having a pair of clutch-dogs, one dog engaging one of the belt parts and the other dog engaging the other belt part, the said dogs being constructed to enter into operative engagement alternately and means for reciprocating said clutch, substantially as set forth.

0. Inahorseless vehicle, a frame arranged on the body of said vehicle and having pulleys therein and an endless belt arranged over said pulleys, parts of said belt lying side by side and movable in opposite directions, a reciprocating clutch for operating said belt and a clutch arranged between a pair of said pulleys in connection with transmitting means, and adapted to enter into clutching relation with one or the other of the pulleys of said pair to efiect a reverse movement of the said transmitting means, or to lie idle between said pulleys to effect a stopping of the vehicle, substantially as set forth.

10. In a horseless vehicle, aframe supported by the body and movable in its relation thereto and having pulleys therein and an endless belt arranged over said pulleys, a re ciprocating clutch for imparting movement to said belt and a clutch interposed between the members of a pair of said pulleys and in connection with means for transmitting power from said pulleys to the axle or wheels of the vehicle, means for operating the last-said clutch to effect a reverse action of parts, and means permitting a movement of the frame upon the bodyof the vehicle but maintaining the last-mentioned transmitting means in operative relation, substantially as set forth.

11. In a power transmitting device for horseless vehicles, the combination with a frame,-pairs of pulleys and an endless belt arranged thereon, a sprocket or power-transmitting wheel y, a sleeve arranged on the hub of said sprocket-wheel and adapted to enter into clutching engagement with members of a pair of said pulleys, and shifting means, all arranged and operating, substantially as set forth.

12. In a power transmitting device for horseless carriages the combination with the frame, pairs of pulleys arranged in said frame, an endless belt arranged on said pulleys, a power-transmitting wheel arranged between one of said'pairs of pulleys in connection with plates o, o, and a sliding clutching-sleeve arranged on the hub of said power-transmitting wheel and adapted to rotate with said wheel, and a lever having an arm between said plate 1, and means for operating the lever to shift said plates and clutching-sleeve, substantially as set forth.

13. In a power transmitting device, the combination with the frame having powertransmitting pulleys and belt, means for operating said belt, means for varying the speed of the belt, means for transmitting power from the pulleys to the device to be operated and means for reversing the movement of the lastmentioned power-transmitting means, of a single shaft or rod 2, for operating both the reversing means and the means for varying the speed of the belt, substantially as set forth. 7

14. In a power transmitting device, the combination with the frame having powertransmitting pulleys and an endless belt arranged thereon, a reciprocating clutch, an osoillating arm and a motor for operating said arm, and means for transmitting power from the pulleys, substantially as set forth.

15. In a power transmitting device, the combination with theframe having powertransmitting pulleys and an endless belt arranged thereon, a reciprocating clutch, an oscillating arm, the clutch being adjustable in its relation to said arm to vary the distance of reciprocation of said clutch and a motor for oscillating said arm, and adjusting means, substantially as set forth.

16. In a power-transmitting device, the combination with the frame having powertransmitting pulleys and an endless belt, areciprocating clutch having oppositely-disposed clutching-dogs eccentrically pivoted upon a clutch-frame with rollers opposed to said dogs, a reciprocating arm and a motor for driving the same, and means for adjusting the clutch in its relation to the arm, substantially as set forth.

17. In a power transmitting device, the combination with the body at, having motor 6, slotted oscillating arm, and swinging frame, of pairs of pulleys j, j, 70, la, and end pulleys m, n, a belt arranged on said pulleys and havin gparts lying substantially parallel with one another between the pairs of pulleys, a reciprocatin g clutch with oppositely-disposed dogs engaging said parallel parts of the belt alternately a reciprocating arm, means for swinging the frame and thereby changing the relation of the clutch and arm, substantially as set forth.

18. In a power transmitting device, the combination with the wheeled and spring-supported body a, having motor 6, slotted oscillating arm, and swinging frame connected to said body by a pendulous rod g, rod 8 for holding the swinging frame at a definite distance from the axle of the wheels of said body, pulleys and an endless belt arranged on said frame, an oscillating arm pivoted upon bearings on the vehicle-body, a belt-clutch operated by said arm, a motor operating said arm, a shifting clutch, a lever operating the same, a threaded and grooved rod 25, operating the shifting clutch and swinging frame, sprocketwheels t and 9, chains and means for operating said chains, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of May, 1899.

JOHN C. BLEVNEY. Witnesses:

CHARLES H. PELL, O. B. PITNEY. 

